Chapter 2

Lucas didn't press further, simply saying, "If it's too tiring, just come back. Seeing you overwork yourself like this makes my heart ache, Vivian. You know I can support you."

I shook my head, articulating each word clearly. "I am not anyone's accessory."

Lucas was stunned. "How could you be an accessory..."

I didn't want to listen anymore and cut him off. "Why are you home so early today? Don't you need to go to the company?"

"I've been busy with the new product launch recently and haven't had time to accompany you. So today, I wanted to specifically make some time." His brow smoothed out, transforming back into that gentle, considerate boyfriend. "What do you want to do? Three-Michelin-star dining or the opera? Whatever you want to do, I'll accompany you today."

If this were the old me, hearing these words would have moved me deeply.

After all, he was the heir to the "Aurora" perfume empire, burdened with affairs. His willingness to squeeze out time for me showed that I occupied an important place in his heart.

But now, looking at him, I couldn't help but wonder: Was he busy with the new product, or was he busy preparing for the wedding?

How could he whisper sweet nothings to me, claiming I was his true love, while planning a wedding with another woman?

In the end, I didn't expose his lies.

There were only a few days left anyway. Soon, I would disappear from his life completely.

I shook my head, rejecting his proposal. After a moment, I said, "Why don't you help me clean out the storage room? A lot of things in the apartment are old and useless."

Lucas agreed and helped me organize.

But during the process, every single item I pulled out was a sample we had blended together.

From the first perfume named after this memory to the couple's aftershave, from lab notes to custom scented candles—I threw them all into the trash without hesitation.

With every item tossed, the smile on his face stiffened a degree. When the last item fell into the bin, his panic could no longer be concealed. "Vivian, did you... discover something?"

"Discover what? Are you hiding something from me?" I raised an eyebrow at Lucas, countering his probe with a question.

He avoided my gaze, as if afraid to meet my eyes, and fell silent for a moment. Finally, he didn't answer directly, but just held my hand tightly. "Vivian, no matter what happens, remember that the person I love is you."

I pursed my lips and said nothing more.

After cleaning, Lucas insisted on taking me out for a date. Worried he might sense something was wrong, I didn't refuse again.

We had dinner, viewed an exhibition, and finally, the car stopped in front of a high-end gallery.

Just as we were about to enter, I saw a woman in a Dior haute couture suit with exquisite makeup slowly walking towards us.

Lucas's expression flickered with unease.

"What is it? Someone you know?"

Barely had the words fallen when the woman stopped in front of us, greeting us with a warm smile. Lucas introduced her: "This is Charlotte Rothschild, the daughter of my parents' business partner."

He paused, then introduced me: "This is my girlfriend, Vivian."

Anyone who wasn't deaf could hear the differential treatment in his introduction. Charlotte's smile froze for an instant, but a moment later, she forced a smile and extended her hand to me.

"I heard Lucas's girlfriend is very talented. You live up to the reputation."

Just then, the group of friends who had openly mocked me in German yesterday also walked over, making subtle faces at Lucas, thinking they were being discreet.

I understood immediately: This encounter was no accident. They had deliberately brought Charlotte here.

At the art exhibition, Charlotte walked right beside Lucas.

Unlike her provocative messages on Instagram, in reality, she was intellectual, elegant, and well-spoken. Learning that Lucas was interested in Impressionism, she spoke with eloquence and confidence. Lucas, initially distant, gradually leaned towards her.

It wasn't until I cleared my throat that Lucas seemed to wake from a dream, realizing he had neglected his official girlfriend for too long.

He quickly took off his jacket and draped it over me, his voice gentle. "Are you cold? Is that better? Vivian, I know you're not interested, but if there's a painting you like, feel free to take a picture of it."

Before I could speak, whispers from his friends drifted from behind. Although they deliberately lowered their voices, we were only separated by a painting, and I heard them clearly.

"Lucas really knows how to play the gentleman. Even if she were interested, what would she understand? She probably can't tell Monet from Manet, hahaha."

"Exactly. An upper-class art exhibition? She's definitely an outsider."

I knew they were saying it for my benefit.

I couldn't be bothered to respond. Soon, when we met again, they would have to stand respectfully before me and address me as Miss Davenport.

Just then, the gallery manager unveiled a new exhibit.

It was an unsigned sketch, rumored to be a lost manuscript by the master Renoir. What truly doubled its value was the manager's introduction: it was acquired at a high price from a mysterious European collector.

Hearing Renoir's name, I subconsciously looked at the painting on the wall. With just one glance, I withdrew my gaze, my tone flat: "That's a fake."

The smile on Charlotte's face nearly slipped. "How can Miss Vivian tell?"

"Because the authentic piece was a birthday gift from the eldest daughter of the Davenport Group to her grandfather."

There was only one in the world. The real one was in my family's private museum. The one on the wall could only be a forgery.

I meant well, but my words caused Charlotte to let out a laugh. Even Lucas's friends behind us began to mock me unscrupulously.

"Vivian, if you don't understand, don't pretend. It's embarrassing."

"Right, 'a gift from the eldest daughter'? Did you see it with your own eyes while hiding under her bed? Don't think that just because your name is also Vivian, you have any relation to the Davenport family."

The laughter grew louder until Lucas's face turned cold, finally putting a stop to their ridicule.

He looked at me, holding my hand. "Vivian, I know you've read some art history books recently, but this isn't something you can learn just by reading. Charlotte has frequented major museums since childhood and has researched this type of art. Naturally, she knows more than you."

He didn't use harsh words, but the meaning was clear: He thought I was talking nonsense.

I chuckled lightly and said no more.

In the end, Charlotte bought the sketch for the astronomical price of five million euros.

Watching her swipe her card, I smiled.

I wondered what Mrs. Rothschild would think when she found out Charlotte spent five million to buy a fake as a gift for her.

I didn't stop her, nor did I care. I got up and went to the restroom. Just as I finished washing my hands, a familiar voice came from behind.

"I thought I made myself clear enough. How can you still shamelessly hang around? Do you want to be the third wheel destroying someone else's marriage alliance that badly?"

Her voice was shrill and piercing, a stark contrast to the intellectual, elegant socialite from earlier.

I calmly raised my eyes and turned to face her. "Miss Rothschild, I hope you understand that he and I have been together for five years. The term 'third wheel' could hardly apply to me, could it?"

Having said that, I prepared to walk past her, but she was relentless, sneering, "Yes, five years together, and he still refuses to marry you. Haven't you thought about why? I am the eldest daughter of the Rothschild family, and he is the heir to the 'Aurora' group. Our families are well-matched. And you?"

"With an alcoholic father and a seriously ill mother, a tragic background like that, owning nothing. What makes you worthy of him?"

My footsteps halted. That background was entirely fabricated by me, but I never expected Lucas to tell Charlotte even these details.

I couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly. If I really came from such a background, would the boyfriend who claimed to love only me still personally hand another woman a second knife to hurt me?

"You're right, I'm not worthy." My heart seized with a sudden pang. I looked back at Charlotte, and the gloom accumulated in my heart suddenly dissipated. "You two are truly a match made in heaven. I wish you a happy marriage."

With that, I turned and left.

I hadn't gone far when my phone rang. It was my mother.

"Vivian, come home soon. Everyone is waiting for you; we've prepared so many gifts."

"Your father and I bought you a snowy mountain in Switzerland, your godmother bought you a superyacht—allegedly the one the Prince of Monaco used—and your brother, he prepared an entire fleet of vintage sports cars for you..."

Listening to my mother rambling about the gifts prepared for my return, I couldn't help but sigh. "Mom, I'm coming home to take over the group, not to splurge."

Just as the words fell, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Take over the group? What are you talking about?"